Carefree Dignity: Discourses on Training in the Nature of Mind

This a beautiful book by a revered teacher and spiritual master. The language is straightforward and clear and it spoke to me so directly and simply that I went on retreat with Tsoknyi Rinpoche and enjoyed every moment of it.

Simply the best book I've read on Dzogchen, the effortless integration of space and awareness that is our natural unaffected state of being. Very down to earth and unadorned explanations with lots of humor and spontaeity-truly embodying the premise of Dzogchen (and the four Noble Truths) that our problems are rooted in the attempt to fixate and discriminate. Read it. Practice it. May all beings benefit!

As well as the wonderful teachings mentioned in the previous review, two chapters of this book, which is a compilation of talks given in Denmark and Nepal in 1966, are Guided Meditations. The first one is on Refuge and Guru Yoga, and the other is the Vajrasattva Meditation. Both of them are the farthest thing from theory. I am just a beginner but because of the Tsoknyi Rinpoche's down-to-earth simplicity and clarity, I found it very easy to perform the meditations. These are immediate, very beautiful, and extremely powerful experiences, practical teaching direct from a recognized master. And you can perform them over and over! This was the most powerful part of the book for me so far. Also, almost every chapter ends with a few pages of questions and answers from those in the audience. These are very interesting and help to make the teachings even more real. The chapters are arranged in a wonderful sequence, where each one builds on the other. I read one chapter a day, and each day I was able to experience more and more of the teaching, so that the next chapter always seemed to be leading me to the next step. And it was always extremely relevant to the day's events. I consider it the most wonderful of blessings to have been given the chance to encounter this book.

I had the good fortune to see Tsoknyi Rinpoche teaching at Lerab Ling in France last year. When I first came across this book, I wondered how such an animated and provocative performance could be brought to the printed page. Thankfully, this compilation of his talks does succeed in conveying the vitality and humour that is his hallmark. He teaches in an experiential way, getting directly to the main point in a manner that is easy to relate to and to understand.By his use of uncomplicated language and examples from everyday life, you begin to see that there is indeed a way to be free. He shows how a simple shift in our understanding of mind, releases our entanglement in our desires and fears, in our imaginings. Rather than struggling with thoughts and emotions, we begin to understand mind's expression as a creative, ephemeral display. By becoming familiar with and applying this perspective, both in meditation sessions and during daily life, we un-knot those complex habitual patterns that entrap us, becoming simpler, more carefree. "Simply having the idea that smoking is bad doesn't make us stop smoking, because we have a deeply embedded habit. (...) What is necessary is to interrupt the habitual involvement in the act, again and again."I found that reading the book really deepened and improved my understanding of what meditation is. He spells out how we can practice freedom from moment to moment, remaining present, uncomplicated and carefree, even amidst the busyness of life. This carefree condition is not an indifferent dismissal of the hardships of living but an all-embracing openness, a deep and heart felt union with everything. "Carefree doesn't mean careless, that you are sloppy or that you don't care about others. "The talks cover meditation, distraction, refuge, ngondro, compassion, devotion, the bardos, confusion, enlightenment, emptiness; you name it, it's probably there! He explains these topics with such simple accuracy that the book is eminently readable by beginners as well as seasoned dharma veterans. My only grumble, (well this is samsara so I had to find some fault!) is that there are occasional misspellings.I found this to be the most useful and inspiring book I've read in ages. Get it!